Bomb: The Race to Build--and Steal--the World's Most Dangerous Weapon (Newbery Honor Book) [Hardcover]

Steve Sheinkin (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 4, 2012 | Age Range: 10 and up | Series: Newbery Honor Book | Lexile Measure: 920L (What's this?)

In December of 1938, a chemist in a German laboratory made a shocking discovery: When placed next to radioactive material, a Uranium atom split in two. That simple discovery launched a scientific race that spanned 3 continents. In Great Britain and the United States, Soviet spies worked their way into the scientific community; in Norway, a commando force slipped behind enemy lines to attack German heavy-water manufacturing; and deep in the desert, one brilliant group of scientists was hidden away at a remote site at Los Alamos. This is the story of the plotting, the risk-taking, the deceit, and genius that created the world's most formidable weapon. This is the story of the atomic bomb.

Bomb is a 2012 National Book Awards finalist for Young People’s Literature.

Bomb is a 2012 Washington Post Best Kids Books of the Year title.

Bomb is a 2013 Newbery Honor book.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 5 Up-"Harry Gold was right: This is a big story." So begins this depiction of the "creation-and theft-of the deadliest weapon ever invented." As he did in The Notorious Benedict Arnold (Roaring Brook, 2010), Sheinkin has again brought his superior talent for storytelling to bear in what is truly a gripping account of discovery, espionage, and revolutionary changes in both physics and the modern world. This fascinating tale, packed with a wide cast of characters, focuses mainly on three individuals: spy for the Soviets Harry Gold, leader of the Manhattan Project J. Robert Oppenheimer, and Knut Haukelid, who sabotaged German bomb efforts while working for the Norwegian resistance. Sheinkin skillfully combines lucid, conversational snapshots of the science behind the atomic bomb with a fast-paced narrative of the remarkable people who made it possible and attempted to steal it. Handsomely designed and loaded with archival photos and primary-source documents, the accessible volume lays out how the bomb was envisioned and brought to fruition. While the historical information and hard facts presented here will likely be new to the intended audience, they in no way overwhelm readers or detract from the thoroughly researched, well-documented account. It reads like an international spy thriller, and that's the beauty of it.-Brian Odom, Pelham Public Library, AL α(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Review

"This superb and exciting work of nonfiction would be a fine tonic for any jaded adolescent who thinks history is "boring." It's also an excellent primer for adult readers who may have forgotten, or never learned, the remarkable story of how nuclear weaponry was first imagined, invented and deployed—and of how an international arms race began well before there was such a thing as an atomic bomb."--The Wall Street Journal

"This is edge-of-the seat material that will resonate with YAs who clamor for true spy stories, and it will undoubtedly engross a cross-market audience of adults who dozed through the World War II unit in high school.”--BCCB, starred

"...reads like an international spy thriller, and that’s the beauty of it.”--School Library Journal, starred

"[a] complicated thriller that intercuts action with the deftness of a Hollywood blockbuster.” --Booklist

 

"A must-read…”--Publishers Weekly, starred

 

“A superb tale of an era and an effort that forever changed our world.”--Kirkus, starred

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Flash Point; First Edition, First Printing edition (September 4, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596434872
• ISBN-13: 978-1596434875
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.7 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #645 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Children's Books > History > Military & Wars
  • #1 in Books > Children's Books > History > United States > 1800s
  • #1 in Books > Children's Books > History > United States > 1900s

More About the Author

Steve Sheinkin is the award-winning author of several exciting books on American history for young adults. His 2012 title BOMB: THE RACE TO BUILD AND STEAL THE WORLD'S MOST DANGEROUS WEAPON, was awarded a Newbery Honor, won the Sibert Medal, the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults, and was a finalist for the National Book Award. His book THE NOTORIOUS BENEDICT ARNOLD won both the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction and the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award for nonfiction. His most recent titles are LINCOLN'S GRAVE ROBBERS, a true-crime thriller, and EL ILUMINADO, a graphic novel written with Ilan Stavans. Steve lives in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Overview October 10, 2012

By Seymour Morris Jr

Format:Hardcover

While this is a book aimed at the teenage market, it is an excellent overview worthy of adult readership. Not all of us have the time to wade through 700-page tomes like Kai Bird's "American Prometheus" (about Oppenheimer), Richard Rhodes "The Making of the Atom Bomb," or Gen. Leslie Groves' "Now It Can Be Told."

The race to build the first atom bomb involves several stories: the Los Alamos scientists, the Soviet spies stealing our secrets, and the Norwegian saboteurs stopping the Germans. I have read several books about each of these stories; this is the first book that ties them all together. It is well-written, and reads like a thriller in the way it flips from one threadline to another, keeping you turn the page. My only quibble is that the footnotes do not give the page number of the source, but then this is a book for the general reader, not for historians like myself. It is an introduction to an important and fascinating topic, and it does the job well. After you read this book, you may well want to read more.

If I make may an unusual compliment: even though I am very familiar with what this book talks about, I wasn't in the least bit impatient as I read this book. A joy to read.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars BOMB is 'The Bomb" September 12, 2012

By SarahD

Format:Kindle Edition

Bomb is a fantastic read. I am a voracious reader, and was concerned that a non fiction, young aduilt book would not be emjoyable. Wow, was I wrong. Bomb is a fantastic literary review of the 'cool' part of world history. Everyone learns about World War 2 in school. Yet I was never privy to the amount of espionage that went on surrounding the development of the worlds most devastating weapon. This book provides a behind the scenes view of the prelude to the cold war. Overall a very enjoyable read. I highly reco
mend!!

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A homerun...again September 19, 2012

By girlmom

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

My 15 year old pacifist daughter LOVES this book. I must admit when I heard her say, 'I just can't put this book down!' I was a little shocked. Liking a book about the atom bomb, my kid? Then I saw the author. Steve Sheinkin does it again! My twin 15 year olds have read all the other Sheinkin books three times each. Why can't all history texts be written like this?